Hong Kong and Australia to allow mutual eGate access

25/04/19

Australia has confirmed that Hong Kong citizens to use its automated immigration clearance system at all its international airports from Monday without requiring prior registration.

A report in the South China Morning Post reported Raymond Lok Wai-man, assistant director for information systems at the Immigration Department, as saying that face recognition technology used by its Australian counterpart meant that Hong Kong citizens did not need to register before travelling there.

“The chip in the passports contains the holders’ details,” Lok said, noting that many countries were using the technology. “But Hong Kong authorities rely on fingerprint technology. We need to confirm passport holders’ identity to see if they fulfil immigration requirements before using our fast lane.”

Australian consul general Paul Tighe told the newspaper that the automated clearance services means enable Hong Kong travellers can enter through border clearance more faster and effectively.

“This also means our Border Force officers can focus on detecting unlawful activity at the border,” said Tighe